Ganeshotsav 2026: ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’ to be the Grand Attraction at Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati

Pune: The 135th Ganeshotsav of the historic Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, regarded as the Ganpati of revolutionaries, began in Pune on the occasion of Kranti Din with the traditional Vasa Pujan. The ceremony also marked the unveiling of this year’s special theme, ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’, a grand fictional tableau centred on the Indian cultural ethos of respecting and honouring parents.

The elaborate presentation, based on the timeless message of ‘Matrudevo Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava’, will be one of the major attractions for devotees during this year’s Ganeshotsav.

The traditional Vasa Pujan was conducted at the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati temple premises on Sunday in the presence of Pune Police Deputy Commissioner (Zone 1) Krishikesh Rawale, Ashok Electricals’ Ashokbhai Shah, and festival chief and trustee Punit Balan. The dignitaries performed the traditional rituals before unveiling the concept of the ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’ tableau.

The ceremony was accompanied by the beats of dhol-tasha and chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’, marking the beginning of preparations for the 135th edition of the historic festival.

‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’ to highlight the importance of parents

This year’s ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’ will go beyond elaborate decoration and focus on the significance of parents in Indian culture and the values of gratitude and respect towards them.

Portraying Lord Ganesha as the son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva, the tableau will place the traditional message of Matrudevo Bhava, Pitrudevo Bhava at its core. Through the presentation, the organisers aim to highlight the importance of parents in an individual’s life, the need to respect and remain grateful to them, and the age-old Indian tradition of honouring one’s mother and father.

The Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust has been presenting thematic tableaux based on religious, social and cultural messages every year. This year too, the organisers are seeking to combine devotion with a broader social and cultural message.

‘Festival will be celebrated with religious sanctity and tradition’

Festival chief and trustee Punit Balan said the organisers would ensure that the original religious spirit and traditions associated with Ganeshotsav remain at the centre of the celebrations.

“Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati is known as the Ganpati of revolutionaries. The Vasa Pujan of the festival mandap and the unveiling of this year’s tableau took place on Kranti Din. This year, we will present a fictional tableau titled ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’. The festival will be celebrated while maintaining its religious sanctity and traditions. Like last year, we will celebrate a DJ-free Ganeshotsav and Dahi Handi,” Balan said.

He added that preserving the traditional and spiritual character of the festival while conveying a positive social message to devotees would remain a key priority of the Trust.

Pune DCP recalls disciplined celebrations

Pune Police Deputy Commissioner (Zone 1) Krishikesh Rawale, who had the honour of performing the Vasa Pujan, expressed happiness at being associated with the historic Ganpati festival.

“I am extremely happy to have received the honour of performing the Vasa Pujan for the mandap of the 135th Ganeshotsav of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati. I had witnessed the festival here last year as well. After seeing the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the discipline displayed during the immersion procession, I understood why Pune’s Ganeshotsav is considered so distinctive and special. I am grateful to the Trust for giving me this honour,” Rawale said.

A Ganpati with a revolutionary legacy

Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati occupies a significant place in the history of Pune’s public Ganeshotsav and is closely associated with the city’s revolutionary legacy.

Public Ganeshotsav played an important role in promoting social awareness, community mobilisation and nationalist sentiment during the freedom movement. The festival became an important platform for bringing people together and strengthening public consciousness.

Continuing this historic legacy, the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust will organise various religious and cultural programmes during the 135th Ganeshotsav.

With the traditional Vasa Pujan on Kranti Din, preparations for this year’s celebrations have formally begun. The festival is expected to bring together its 135-year-old tradition and a contemporary visual presentation through ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’, while conveying the enduring message of respecting and honouring parents.

As the beats of dhol-tasha and chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ marked the beginning of the celebrations, Pune is now gearing up to witness the grand presentation of ‘Shri Ganesh Swarnadham’ during Ganeshotsav 2026.